McNamara
looks for
flying start
to Div One

JACKIE McNAMARA is looking forward to his first league game in charge tomorrow against Dundee - but admits it will be a tough encounter.

The Partick Thistle manager is determined to start the First Division campaign with a win but says if the squad makes the same errors they did against Berwick Rangers last week, they will be punished.

The former Celtic player said: “If we can get a few wins under our belt that will stand us in good stead.

“We found ourselves playing catch up at the end of last season. This is something I don’t want to do this season.”

However McNamara will have his work cut out in the opening clash as Dundee have a reputation as a strong physical side.

But the new gaffer is confident he has the right team in place to take the team forward, and added: “Obviously I want to move the club on from our fifth place finish last season. At the moment I would just be happy if we finished above this at the end of the season.”

Signing

As far as the squad is concerned McNamara said he was pleased to announce that Thistle have signed former Queen of the South and Stirling Albion player Scott Robertson.

He said: “Scott can play both in midfield and at the back and has signed a contract that will keep him at Firhill until the end of the season.

“He is a great addition to our squad and has a big physical presence. His addition to the squad increases the options that we have open to us.”

Scott (23) started his career with Queen of the South and during his time at Palmerston Park featured as a late substitute in the 2008 Scottish Cup Final with Rangers.

Another signing the gaffer has made to strengthen his defence is former St Johnstone player Johnny Lyndsay (18).

The new squad will be tested again on Tuesday with another tough away game against Hamilton Accies in the second round of the Challenge Cup. Kick-off is 7.45pm.